What does my NAT type mean?

Created by Brice Nuttall, Modified on Fri, 3 Apr at 8:36 AM by Kayden Driggers

Great question!

Network Address Translation (NAT) is a process your router uses to connect your devices to the internet. Your internet service provides your home with a single public IP address, and your router uses NAT to assign private IP addresses to each device in your home (phones, consoles, computers, etc.).

NAT also controls how your network communicates with external servers and other players online. This is especially important for gaming, as it can impact your ability to connect to multiplayer games, voice chat, and other online services.

Types of NAT

Different gaming platforms may use slightly different names, but they all fall into three main categories:

Type 1 / Open / Type A

Your device is directly connected to the internet or has minimal restrictions
Typically occurs when a device is placed in a DMZ or there is no router/firewall blocking traffic
Provides the best connectivity

What this means for you:
You can connect to all online services, games, and other players without restrictions.

Type 2 / Moderate / Type B

Your device is connected behind a single router or firewall
Some ports may be forwarded, but not all

What this means for you:
You can connect to most online services, but may experience occasional issues when connecting to players with stricter NAT types.

Type 3 / Strict / Type D

Your device is behind multiple routers/firewalls or required ports are blocked
Connections are heavily restricted

What this means for you:
You may experience:

Difficulty joining online games
Issues with voice chat
Limited ability to connect with other players

Why NAT Matters

NAT type plays a key role in how easily your device can communicate with others online. A more open NAT type generally means:

Better connection stability
Fewer issues joining games or lobbies
Improved voice chat performance

Need Help?

If you’re experiencing connectivity issues or need help improving your NAT type, our Smart Desk is available 24/7 to assist you.

Log into your Smartaira Portal and submit a Support Ticket
Email us at support@smartaira.com
Call us at (310) 974-8776

We’re here to help ensure you have the best possible connection experience.